Speed and red-light cameras are a type of automated enforcement technology used to detect and deter speeders and red-light runners. Some jurisdictions use similar technology for other traffic violations, such as illegal rail crossings or toll violations.
Many states have enacted legislation either permitting, limiting or prohibiting the use of speed or red-light cameras at the state or local level. Enforcement can be limited to a particular area or community. Penalties usually are more lenient than those used with traditional enforcement. For example, the fine may be lower, points may not be assessed or the citation may not go on the driver's record.
Some localities operate speed and/or red-light cameras even if the state does not specifically permit or prohibit it. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety maintains a list of all communities operating automated enforcement. This list changes and is updated regularly.
NOTE: GHSA does not compile any additional data on speed and red-light camera laws other than what is presented here. For more information, consult the appropriate State Highway Safety Office.
Sources: National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and State Highway Safety Offices.
Last updated in May 2024. Laws last reviewed by State Highway Safety Offices in March 2024.
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None
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Prohibited
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None
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Prohibited
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Prohibited
Permitted by state law
School speed zones, school walk routes, park zones, hospital zones, highway work zones, one camera per 10,000 residents in priority areas such as areas with higher rates or collisions or areas designated as problem racing zones
Permitted by state law and city ordinance
Statewide; at intersections of two arterials
Permitted by state law
School crossing zones and highway work zones
Permitted by state law and city ordinance
Statewide; no more than one intersection for every 10,000 residents in each community, except for communities under the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, which are allowed systems at not more than 10 intersections or no more than one intersection for every 10,000 residents, whichever is greater
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None
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None
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None
Prohibited
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None
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Prohibited
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Prohibited
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Permitted by state law
In school zones; on any S-curve that inhibits a driver's vision through the bend
Permitted by state law and city ordinance
Statewide
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None
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Prohibited
Prohibited
n/a
Prohibited
n/a
Permitted by state law
School zones, Monday - Friday, 7am - 6pm, August 15 - June 30
Permitted by state law
Statewide
Permitted by state law
Active work zones when workers are present; in Philadelphia
Permitted by state law and city ordinance
Specified jurisdictions
Statewide
Permitted by state law
Statewide (effective January 1, 2023); not on controlled access highways; must be operated by uniformed police officer out of marked police vehicle; only permitted in construction zones when workers are present
Permitted by state law
None
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None
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Permitted by state law
Statewide; not permitted on interstates when operated by townships
Permitted by state law and city ordinance
Statewide
None
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None
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Specified jurisdictions
None
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Permitted by state law and city ordinance
Permitted by state law
Specified jurisdictions; not permitted on controlled access highway exit ramp or within 300 feet following
Permitted by state law and city ordinance
Specified jurisdictions
Prohibited
n/a
None
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Prohibited
n/a
Prohibited
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Speed camera equipment must be held in hand or installed temporarily within law enforcement vehicle or facility
Permitted by state law
Speed camera equipment must be held in hand or installed temporarily within law enforcement vehicle or facility
Permitted by state law
None
n/a
None
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None
n/a
Prohibited
n/a
No state law
Permitted by city ordinance
No state law
Permitted by city ordinance
Specified jurisdictions; not permitted on state and federal roadways
Permitted by state law
Specified jurisdictions; mobile enforcement vans not permitted on state and federal roadways
Permitted by state law and city ordinance
Prohibited
n/a
Prohibited
n/a
None
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None
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None (State law requires law enforcement to witness violations)
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None (State law requires law enforcement to witness violations)
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None
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None
Permitted by state law and city ordinance
School zones (only during certain hours); Montgomery County residential districts; areas in or near institutes of higher education in Prince George's County; construction zones on expressways or controlled access highways with a speed limit 45 mph or greater
Permitted by state law
Statewide
Prohibited
n/a
Prohibited
n/a
Permitted by state law and city ordinance
Specified jurisdictions; not permitted on interstate highways except operated by state in construction zones when workers are present
Permitted by state law
Specified jurisdictions
n/a
None
n/a
None
None
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None
n/a
No state law
Permitted by city ordinance
No state law
Permitted by city ordinance
Permitted by State Law (effective July 1, 2023)
Highway work zones (effective July 1, 2023)
None
n/a
Specified jurisdictions
Permitted by state law and city ordinance
In construction or maintenance zones (only when workers are present); in safety zones - within 1/8th of a mile of a school or park district used for recreational purposes in municipalities with a population of 1 million or more inhabitants (only within certain hours)
Permitted by state law
None
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None
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None
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Yes, by state law and county ordinance
Counties of Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, Honolulu and City of Honolulu after a 2-year pilot program in the City and County of Honolulu
Permitted by state law
School zones, one hour before and after instruction time
Permitted by state law
School zones, one hour before and after instruction time
Statewide
None
n/a
Permitted by state law
Permitted by district law
Citywide
Permitted by district law
Citywide
None
n/a
Permitted by state law
Statewide
Permitted by state law
Work Zones, school zones, pedestrian safety zones and other locally established areas (effective 10/1/23)
Permitted by state law
School zones, pedestrian safety zones and other locally established areas (effective 10/1/23)
Statewide
Permitted by state law and city ordinance
School zones, residential neighborhoods, construction zones (only when construction is occurring), and streets that border a municipal park; police officer or government employee must be present at time of violation
Permitted by state law
Permitted by state law
In six specified jurisdictions in a pilot program until 2032
Permitted by state law
Statewide
Permitted by state law
School zones, rail crossings and work zones, though a police officer must issue citation at time of violation
None
n/a
None
n/a
None
n/a
Specified jurisdictions
Permitted by state law and city ordinance
Specified jurisdictions
Permitted by state law
Permitted by state law
Statewide; not permitted on state highways; not permitted within 600 feet of posted speed limit change except near school crossing
Permitted by state law
Statewide; not permitted on state highways; not permitted within 600 feet of posted speed limit change except near school crossing
Two house bills that were signed into law Tuesday will put safety cameras in work zones in an attempt to reduce speeds. With the approval of House Bills 4132 and 4133, Michigan will join 23 states who use work zone safety cameras in marked areas of the road. The technology “has been proven to reduce speeds and protect construction workers,” according to a release from the governor’s office.
Lawmakers heard from state traffic safety and public health officials about the increased number of crashes and deaths in Nevada at Wednesday’s meeting of the joint interim Committee for Growth and Infrastructure and Health and Human Services. The hearing was the second time proposed automated traffic enforcement, such as speeding and red light cameras, has been discussed at an interim legislative meeting this year amid the rising number of traffic facilities and accidents. Amy Davey, administrator of the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety within the Department of Public Safety, agreed with Harris and said lawmakers could look at “changing our roadways.”
State legislation creating the red-light camera program was initially enacted 30 years ago, and is slated to sunset by December. On March 20, the DOT called for a renewal and expansion of the program, throwing their support behind two state legislators pushing a package of bills that would do just that. To back up their quest, the transportation agency has also released a “Red-Light Camera Report,” which notes that a record 29 New Yorkers died last year in crashes stemming from blown red lights. None of those intersections had red-light cameras, the DOT added.
The Nevada Advisory Committee on Traffic Safety urged state lawmakers Wednesday to consider legislation authorizing the use of speeding and red light cameras. Lawmakers during Wednesday’s interim Growth and Infrastructure Committee meeting were briefed on the increased number of traffic deaths in recent years, in particular among pedestrians, and ways to reduce fatalities and safety issues.
The number of communities using automated speed safety cameras increased from 211 in 2023 to 222 as of March 2024, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This growth comes as communities are allowed to use federal funds for such technology: The 2021 infrastructure law allowed states to spend up to 10% of their highway safety funds on non-infrastructure projects such as automated traffic enforcement.
Officials at the Department of Public Safety are so fed up with increased speeding on state roads — and its resulting high death toll — that they are planning to carry out an education and enforcement campaign that will last the entire summer.
Story by Tim Harlow
March 1, 2024
Safety advocates around the country are desperately searching for anything that will get drivers to slow down. They've [speed cameras] earned the endorsement of prominent safety advocates, including Jonathan Adkins, the CEO of the Governors Highway Safety Association. "Automated enforcement works," Adkins said.
Speed kills. The likelihood of death grows rapidly with vehicle speed. A vehicle going 42 mph has a nearly fivefold higher probability of killing a pedestrian it hits than if it were going 25 mph. It’s quite common for vehicles to be traveling 42 mph in 25 mph urban/residential areas. Speed cameras can address these issues and more. They allow police forces to spend more time on other issues and they reduce risk associated with traffic stops for all. They are race/gender/wealth agnostic.
A new report from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), with the support of State Farm®, examines traffic safety cameras – an underutilized tool in the fight to reduce dangerous driving behaviors that contribute to more than 100 people dying on U.S. roads every day. The report discusses the benefits of traffic safety cameras that detect speeding, red-light running and school bus stop-arm violations, and makes recommendations to states and traffic safety partners considering implementing or expanding the use of this proven technology.
A new report from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), with support from State Farm®, examines an important tool in the fight to reduce dangerous driving behaviors that contribute to more than 100 people dying on U.S. roads every day. The report, Automated Enforcement in a New Era, discusses the benefits of traffic safety cameras that detect speeding, red-light running and school bus stop-arm violations, and makes recommendations to states and traffic safety partners considering implementing this proven technology.
